15 July 1940 Flying Officer Anthony Phillip Gray joins No.615 Squadron as a reinforcement where he is assigned to A Flight. He was born on 9th November 1912 in Maidenhead (Berkshire, England) where he was educated at the Dragon School (Oxford) and the Uppingham School (Rutland). After a year’s study in France (Paris) where he…
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30 November 1940 Northern Front The day before, three Gloster Gauntlets of No.430 (RAF) Flight (Flying Officer James E. Divent, Pilot Officer Arthur N.W. Johnstone and Reeves) land on Azaza airfield. During the day, they are tasked with carrying out three ground attack missions against Italian troops in the Coma – Wahni sector (along the…
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14 July 1940 No.615 Squadron joined Hawkinge airfield with 13 aircraft at 13h00 to provide protection for the CW.5 sea convoy off Dover. Unfortunately the ships are also the target of the Luftwaffe. Forty Junkers Ju.87B of IV/LG 1, escorted by Bf 109E of 8/JG 3, are in charge of the attack, while II/JG 51…
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29 November 1940 Northern Front The Wellesleys made twelve sorties to bomb Danghila (Ethiopia) between 08:10 and 12:15 hours : seven Wellesleys of No.47 (RAF) Squadron (five from Khartoum and two from Sennar) and five of No.223 (RAF) Squadron. One of the latter, however, is forced to make a forced landing after take-off due to…
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12 July 1940 Twelve aircraft take off between 15:45 and 16:20 for a new patrol, again without any particular event. Pilots and Aircrafts : Flight Lieutenant James G. Sanders (P2801) ; Pilot Officer Keith T. Lofts (P3111) ; Pilot Officer David Evans (P2578[1]) ; Pilot Officer Ralph Roberts (N2479[2]) ; Flying Officer Anthony Eyre (L1829) ;…
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27 November 1940 Northern Front The Hawker Hardy K4311 (Flying Officer Paul A. Holdengarde; Sergeant Alan P. Burl) takes off for a reconnaissance of the Gallabat – Metemma sector. Above, they are intercepted at around 05h45 by two Fiat CR.42s of 412a Squadriglia CT. Machine gunner Alan P. Burl is killed, while the aircraft is…
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11 July 1940 Twelve Hawker Hurricanes take off from Kenley to reach Hawkinge in the afternoon for a series of patrols. All the pilots return at 21h50. Pilots and Aircrafts : Flight Lieutenant Lionel M. Gaunce (P2963) ; Pilot Officer Michael R. Mudie (P2871) [Interception : 15h20 – 15h40] Squadron Leader Joseph R. Kayll (P3109)…
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26 November 1940 Northern Front Six Bristol Blenheim of No.14 (RAF) Squadron take off at 07h00 to attack Nefasit station, on the railway line connecting Asmara to Massawa. At 08h30, above Dessie, they were intercepted by three Fiat CR.42s of 412a Squadriglia CT. In fact, six planes were deployed on 23 November at Gura, while…
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10 July 1940 After Pilot Officer David J. Looker, it is the turn of Flying Officer Richard D. Pexton to return to No.615 Squadron after his misadventures in France. However, unlike the former, he is allowed to resume flying. As on previous days, the pilots are in charge of a long series of patrols with…
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24 November 1940 The No.237 (Rhodesia) Squadron joins the advanced airfield of Gordon’s Tree. Several training sessions were organized to simulate the interception of Hawker Hardy by Gloster Gladiator of the No.2 (SAAF) Squadron. Captain Gerald J. le Mesurier and Lieutenant Wellesley H. Morris take off for such training. The session turned into a tragedy…
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